It can be difficult to make the airfoil tube shapes of an aero road bike into a bike that’s stiff under peak pedaling power, but Giant-Shimano sprinter and Tour de France Stage 1 and 3 winner Marcel Kittel almost always rides Giant’s aero Propel Advanced SL model. Here’s a look at his setup.— Words and photos by Joe Lindsey
Photo: Joe Lindsey
Big Rider, Big Bike
Kittel rides a size large Propel Advanced SL. That sounds big, but Kittel is 6’3” and, like many racers, he actually sizes down (the size large translates into roughly a 57.5cm frame; the XL is a 59.5). That lops 1.5cm off of the head tube height compared to the XL, but requires a longer stem to compensate for the undersized top tube. The Propel features teardrop tube shapes, internal cable routing and semi-integrated brakes. With Shimano as co-title sponsor, the Japanese component giant supplies full Dura-Ace 9000-series drivetrains and wheels, and handlebars, stems, seatposts and saddles from its PRO subsidiary.
Photo: Joe Lindsey
Stiffer Stem
Kittel’s size and bike choice provide some unique challenges. He runs a 135mm stem to get his preferred position, but longer stems flex more. The solution? PRO’s Vibe Sprint stem, a massive hunk of carbon fiber with a wide four-bolt faceplate (originally developed with Kittel’s rival, Mark Cavendish). Note that, even going a frame size down, Kittel runs the stem slammed on the top headset dustcap. Kittel uses PRO’s aluminum Vibe 7S handlebar in an anatomic bend.
Size & Stem | Saddle & Power Meter | Brakes, Electronic Shifting & Wireless Comms | Easy Re-build & Set-Up
via Bicycling » Tour de France http://ift.tt/1jkbtaH
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